Some people think only the best students should be rewarded with academic distinctions; others think we should reward weaker students who make progress. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Whether academic rewards should be reserved for top

students

Use synonyms

also

Linking Words

given to weaker

students

Use synonyms

who show

improvement

Use synonyms

is a debated topic in education. I believe both types of

students

Use synonyms

deserve recognition, but the awards should be designed differently. Those who support rewarding only the best

students

Use synonyms

argue that academic honours should be a fair return for ability and hard work. If everyone receives an

award

Use synonyms

, its value is diluted

and

Punctuation problem

, and

show examples

it loses its motivating power. In Taiwan,

for example

Linking Words

, the class merit

award

Use synonyms

is given only to top-ranking

students

Use synonyms

, and

this

Linking Words

competitive system does push

students

Use synonyms

to study harder and prepares them mentally for the realities of workplace competition in the future.

However

Linking Words

, focusing exclusively on top performers ignores the effort of the majority. A student who improves from 30 to 70 marks may have worked far harder than one who maintains a score of 90 to 95, yet if

such

Linking Words

progress receives no recognition, struggling

students

Use synonyms

can easily lose motivation and give up entirely. Research has shown that

students

Use synonyms

who receive encouragement for their

improvement

Use synonyms

are more likely to develop a long-term habit of learning. A more effective approach would be to create different categories of awards. Schools could offer an academic excellence

award

Use synonyms

for outstanding results

alongside

Punctuation problem

, alongside

show examples

a best

improvement

Use synonyms

award

Use synonyms

for significant progress.

This

Linking Words

way, high academic standards are maintained

while

Linking Words

all

students

Use synonyms

feel that their effort is acknowledged and valued. In conclusion, both excellence and effort deserve recognition. Schools should design a diverse reward system that motivates top achievers to maintain their standards

while

Linking Words

also

Linking Words

encouraging weaker

students

Use synonyms

to keep striving for

improvement

Use synonyms

sammi1747

Mar 9, 2026

Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site's author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Writing9 with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

task response

Add one more clear example for the view about weak students. This can make your ideas more full.

task response

In paragraph two, you can explain a bit more why class awards help in real work life.

coherence and cohesion

Use a linking word at the start of the last body paragraph sentence group to make the move smoother.

coherence and cohesion

Some long sentences can be cut into two shorter ones. This will make the flow even clearer.

task response

You answer both sides and give your own view clearly.

task response

Your main ideas are easy to understand and stay on the topic.

coherence and cohesion

The essay has a clear start, middle, and end.

coherence and cohesion

Each paragraph has one main point and good support.

Use cohesive linking words accurately and appropriately

Linking words are very important in your essay.

To score effectively on your IELTS exam, you should make an effort to implement short concise sentences coupled with linking words.

Almost every sentence in your essay should have a linking word of some sort.

In fact, the only sentences that can omit linking words are your background sentence and thesis.

Linking word examples:

firstly
secondly
thirdly
in additional
moreover
also
for example
for instance
therefore
however
although
even though
despite

Discover more tips in The Ultimate Guide to Get a Target Band Score of 7+ »- a book that's free for 🚀 Premium users.

Do you want to check your IELTS essays?

Submit unlimited essays, letters and charts. Sign up right now and start improving your writing skills.

6
Linking words
meeting the goal of 7 or more
3
Word repetition
meeting the goal of 3 or fewer
2
Grammar mistakes
detected issues

0123456789.0505

Overall Band Score

Coherence and Cohesion: 6.0

Logical structure

Introduction & conclusion present

Supported main points

Accurate linking words

Variety in linking words

Lexical resource: 6.0

Varied vocabulary

Accurate spelling & word formation

Grammatical Range: 7.0

Mix of complex & simple sentences

Clear and correct grammar

Task Achievement: 7.0

Complete response

Clear & comprehensive ideas

Relevant & specific examples

Appropriate word count

4 paragraphs

268 words

🚀 Prepare for IELTS writing section today!

Unlimited Task 1 & Task 2 checks
Practice with essays, charts, and letters.
Personalized suggestions & mistake analysis
Spot every mistake and boost your score.
Topic ideas & vocabulary helpers
Expand your ideas and use the right words.
Progress tracking
Watch your writing improve with every practice.

What to do next:

Look at other essays:

6.5
band
Some people think that cities are the best places to live. Others prefer to live in rural areas. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Every man comes to this question sometimes: what is the best place to live? Living a active live in a busy town or having more relaxed lifetime in the remote area. Today we are going to discuss both sides.
7
band
Some people believe that children should continue schooling until 18 years of age, while others suggest that schooling till 14 years of age is enough. Discuss both views and present your opinion.
Some argue that extending the school age up to 18 years old is better but some suggest that it is acceptable to stop formal schooling after 14 years of age. Although some children can benefit from informal learning after middle school, I believe that they need to graduate high school to secure better jobs in the future.
7
band
Schools should focus on academic success and passing examinations. Skills such as cookery, dressmaking and woodworking should not be taught at school as it is better to learn these from family. To that extent do you agree or disagree?
Experts throughout the world have debated on the academics of students and some people argue that educational institutes should focus only on formal education and success instead of practical skills which can be learned from parents. However, I personally consider that due to a variety of career opportunities as well as the need to balance stress levels, skills like dressmaking, cookery and woodworking should be taught in learning institutes.
6
band
Some scientists think that there are intelligent life forms on other planets and messages should be sent to contact them. Other scientist think it is a bad idea and would be dangerous. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
Several scholars believe that other planets may host intelligent life forms and advocate for establishing contact, while others oppose this idea. In this essay, both views are discussed and I explain why I am convinced that contact with aliens is unsafe.
6.5
band
Many old buildings protected by law are part of a nation’s history. Some people think they should be knocked down and replaced by new ones. How important is it to maintain old buildings Should history stand in the way of progress?
Over time, buildings get run down but still contain a piece of history them; therefore, legislators have prohibited the deconstruction . Yet, it is considered to be improper, and those places should be demolished and substituted by new constructions. This essay will explain why it is not so pivotal to preserve them and how the past should let the present be better in the future.

Some people think only the best students should be rewarded with academic distinctions; others think we should reward weaker students who make progress. Discuss both views and give your opinion.

Some people think that cities are the best places to live. Others prefer to live in rural areas. Discuss both views and give your own opinion. Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

Some people believe that children should continue schooling until 18 years of age, while others suggest that schooling till 14 years of age is enough. Discuss both views and present your opinion.

Schools should focus on academic success and passing examinations. Skills such as cookery, dressmaking and woodworking should not be taught at school as it is better to learn these from family. To that extent do you agree or disagree?

Some scientists think that there are intelligent life forms on other planets and messages should be sent to contact them. Other scientist think it is a bad idea and would be dangerous. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Many old buildings protected by law are part of a nation’s history. Some people think they should be knocked down and replaced by new ones. How important is it to maintain old buildings Should history stand in the way of progress?